The reclusive regime freed three US detainees in May in an apparent goodwill gesture before a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump in Singapore.

At their historic Singapore summit, Trump and Kim signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation of the peninsula.

Earlier Friday, KCNA said Kim observed the successful test of an unspecified "newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon", though it didn't describe what the weapon was. After arriving here late Wednesday, they visited the Second Techno Valley in the Pangyo district of the city of Seongnam, just south of Seoul, the following day, and held a meeting with South Korean officials, including Gyeonggi governor Lee Jae-myung, to discuss various issues, such as pushing for joint business projects. The name written in his passport was Lowrance Bruce Byron, said police officers at Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency.

"The United States is grateful for the sustained support of Sweden, our protecting power in North Korea, for its advocacy on behalf of American citizens", Pompeo said.

The US State Department played down the announcement, saying it was "confident" that the negotiation process remained on track with North Korea.

With relations between Beijing and Pyongyang having seemingly thawed and with China appearing to have relaxed the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, many anticipate that Xi's remarks mean that China will actively cooperate to advance US-North Korea dialogue on denuclearization.

"The defense industry should develop and manufacture powerful strategic weapons and military hardware of our style, flawless its Juche-oriented production structure and modernize its production lines on the basis of cutting-edge science and technology", he said in his 2018 New Year speech, referring to the long-held principle of self-reliance. This list would include Chinese financial institutions, businesses and officials involved in trading with North Korea that could be subject to future sanctions. Given the warm ties and progress, Seoul is best placed to mediate between the North and U.S., but Beijing also has a role. It's the first publicly known field inspection of a weapons test by Kim since he observed the testing of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017, according to the Unification Ministry.

Pence stressed that United Nations sanctions had to remain enforced. He added that the weapon is just like a posthumous weapon and he missed Kim Jong-il very much while seeing the great success of its test.

1 killed, 47 injured in France gas protests
But up to 200 people were later seen walking down the street, apparently heading towards the Elysee presidential palace. The taxes are part of French President Emmanuel Macron's strategy of weaning France off fossil fuels.

Last year's string of increasingly powerful weapons tests, many experts believe, put the North on the brink of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can target anywhere in the mainland United States.

Finland President: Did Not Tell Trump About 'Raking' ForestsNov 18, 2018 - 22:54
While touring the state, Mr Trump was asked whether the damage caused by the fire had changed his opinion about climate change . Whitaker was previously a fierce critic of the probe, and Democrats have called for him to recuse himself from overseeing it.

Khashoggi killers must be 'held to account' - PenceNov 18, 2018 - 21:41
Specifically, she advocated that Saud al-Qahtani, a top adviser to Mohammed, be added to the list, and he ultimately was. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was last seen visiting Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

When and where the best Black Friday deals can be foundNov 18, 2018 - 18:13
Black Friday falls on November 23 this year where prices on a score of products will be cut for the entirety of the day. More importantly, this is the first sale we've ever seen on Amazon's just-released Fire TV Stick 4K.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh back to Mumbai, see photosNov 18, 2018 - 16:38
A grand reception has been planned in Bangalore on November 21 in Bangalore which will be followed by another one in Mumbai. The wedding had been conducted in two ceremonies, as per Konkani rituals and also according to North Indian traditions.

Update brings mouse and keyboard support to Xbox OneNov 18, 2018 - 06:59
Microsoft now offers two different models of the console; the more powerful Xbox One X for $US499, and the $US250 Xbox One S. The tech site says it has heard from unnamed sources that the disc-less system is scheduled to release in 2019.

As Florida recount wraps up, Democrat Gillum concedesNov 18, 2018 - 06:40
Senate contest - two nationally watched midterm elections that have keep the presidential swing state on edge since Election Day. Florida produced some of the closest results in the US mid-term elections, which were held on the 6th of November.

How to unlock all the Pokemon Let's Go hairstylesNov 18, 2018 - 00:04
While you're waiting for the game to drop, it may be useful to find out what can and can't be transferred between the games. After you meet the minimum requirement, head to the Cerulean City and find the blue house near the Pokemon Center.

Devotees throng Indian flashpoint temple, but no womenNov 17, 2018 - 22:01
She will have to step on our chests and walk over us if she wants to enter Sabarimala Temple", said Activist Rahul Easwar. Bhoomatha Brigade leader and activist Trupti Desai will return without visiting sabarimala temple.

Vikings meet Bears in critical NFC North showdownNov 17, 2018 - 19:57
A win Sunday night would enable the Bears (6-3) to extend their division lead over Minnesota (5-3-1) to a game-and-a-half. Perhaps watershed is a way of saying (or avoid saying) it's a "must-win game", which people have saying for weeks now.